@sacramentourbanmedia916: Despite months of hype and hundreds of wealthy applicants lining up, Donald Trump’s “Gold Card” visa program has so far approved just one person since launching its application portal in December. The premium residency plan—priced at $1 million—was pitched as a fast-track entry for elite global talent. But in reality, the rollout has been slow. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the pace, saying officials are prioritizing precision over speed: the program is new, highly scrutinized, and designed to be implemented “perfectly.” According to officials, the vetting process is extremely strict. Applications are handled by the Department of Homeland Security, and once a $15,000 nonrefundable processing fee is paid, cases are reviewed on an expedited basis—assuming all documents and additional payments are submitted correctly. The $1 million investment itself is treated as proof the applicant will significantly benefit the U.S. For companies sponsoring talent, the price jumps to $2 million per employee. All applications must be filed digitally using Form I-140G, with no paper option. The administration has also made it clear it wants only top-tier applicants, aiming to exclude lower-ranked candidates and focus strictly on the highest performers. Originally, the program was projected to generate up to $100 billion for the federal government—potentially helping offset the roughly $37.5 trillion national debt. But with just one approval so far, that goal remains far off. Officials say how the funds will ultimately be used is still undecided, beyond serving the country’s broader interests. At launch, the administration expected to issue around 80,000 Gold Cards, replacing traditional high-skill visa pathways like EB-1 and EB-2. There’s even talk of a “platinum” version costing $5 million, which could allow extended U.S. stays without taxes on foreign income. Meanwhile, broader immigration changes are also in motion. A proposal to raise H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has sparked concern among major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Apple, with some already warning employees to limit international travel. For now, the Gold Card program remains more promise than payoff—ambitious in scope, but with only one approval to show for it.#fyp #viral

SUM NEWS

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Sunday 26 April 2026 16:54:41 GMT